Repsol Honda has – with justification – put all of its eggs into the Marc Marquez basket for the best part of a decade, and a bulging trophy cabinet shows the wisdom of that approach. But Marquez's regular absences over the past three seasons saw Honda develop a bike able to be tamed by other riders not blessed with Marquez's generational brilliance, and Espargaro is the biggest beneficiary.

Espargaro's commitment to the task and intensity haven't changed even as he settles into his 30s, while replicating his junior-class success in Australia in the top flight looks more likely than ever riding for a team that shines at the Island.